Epstein



Feb. 14, 1956 H. EPSTEIN COMBINATION CAN OPENER AND BOTTLE OPENER Filed Sept. 11 1953 lllmm mur W a m H J J 4 4 I J J J 1 4 J J;

WfMW United States Patent COMBINATION CAN OPENER AND BOTTLE OPENER Herman Epstein, Kansas City, Mo.

Application September 11, 1953, Serial No. 379,639

2 Claims. (Cl. 7-14.25)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in can openers and bottle openers, and has particular reference --to a device combining the functions of both can and bottle openers. The can opener involved is of the type commonly known as a beer can opener, although of course useful on many other products, and which includes a blade adapted to cut a triangular flap in the end wall of a vacuum tin and to fold said flap inwardly. The bottle opener involved is of the common lift type adapted to remove the ordinary crown cap from soft drink bottles or the like.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a combined can and bottle opener including a body member formed to present a can opener blade and a bottle opener lever arm, and a single claw member movably connected to said body member and adapted to be moved selectively into operative relationship with either the blade or the lever arm, whereby to serve either as the fulcrum member of the can opener or the lifter member of the bottle opener.

Another object is the provision, in a device of the character described, of a handle member fixed to and movable with the claw member, whereby said handle will always be disposed in proper operative relationship to the particular opener in use.

A further object is the provision, in a device of the character described, of a handle as above set forth which is operable to shield the can opener blade while the bottle opener is in use, whereby the bottle opener may be used without danger of injury to the hands, and whereby the device may be carried in the pocket without damage to the clothing.

Other objects are extreme simplicity and economy of structure, efficiency and dependability of operation, and the production of a device which is extremely durable and not likely to get out of order.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a combined can and bottle opener embodying the present invention, with the parts positioned to serve as a can opener.

Fig. 2 is a bottom. plan view of the device as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the parts positioned to serve as a bottle opener.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the device as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the device shown in operative relationship to a vacuum tin, shown fragmentarily.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the device shown in operative relationship to a bottle to be opened.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 2 applies to a body member comprising an elongated metal strap having a planar central portion 6. One end portion of said body 2,734,204 Patented Feb. 14,2956

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trally through bearing portions 6 and 8, whereby the body and handle members are secured together frictionally but rotatably. One end portion of the handle member is formed to present a claw member 20 which tapers to a thin edge 22 extending transversely of the handle member. It is apparent, that by turning handle member 4 on rivet 10, said claw member may be positioned in operative relationship to can opener blade 12, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6, or in operative relationship to bottle opener lever 18, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 7. The end portion of handle member 4 opposite claw 22 is angled downwardly to form a handle extension 24. The central portion of said extension may be cut out as at 26 to conserve metal and reduce weight. At its extreme outer end the handle extension has a hole 28 formed therein for receiving a chain 30, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, which may serve to hang the device from a nail or other support, or which may carry keys or the like. The cut-out 26 and hole 28 are connected by a narrow slit 32 lying in the longitudinal midline of the handle extension. The handle extension is so disposed that point 14 of the can opener blade projects slightly into slit 32 when the device is positioned to serve as a bottle opener, whereby the body and handle members are secured releasably in this position. The blade 12 and handle extension 24 are sufficiently flexible to allow the point to pass over the upper surface of the handle extension to enter the slit. The blade edges 16 being inclined, the point thereof may be positioned in or released from the slit simply by exerting transverse pressure on the blade.

With the handle member positioned to place claw 20 adjacent blade 12, the device is used as a can opener as shown in Fig. 6, with the blade positioned against the end or cover 38 of can 34, and claw 20 engaging'under the rim 36 of the can. The handle member is then lifted and the claw 20'serves as a fulcrum about which the device turns, forcing blade 12 through cover 38, thereby cutting a triangular flap in the cover and folding said flap inwardly. Can openers of this general type are well known. With the handle member turned to position claw 20 adjacent lever 18, the device is used as a bottle opener as shown in Fig. 7, with the lever 18 engaging the top of the bottle cap 42 of bottle 40, and claw 20 engaging under the edge of the cap. When the handle is then lifted, the device is fulcrumed about the lever 18 at its point of contact with the cap, and claw 20 serves as a lifter for prying the cap upwardly to release it from the bottle. This general type of bottle opener is also well known.

Thus a combined can and bottle opener having several advantages has been produced. A single claw member serves both as a fulcrum for the can opener and as a lifter for the bottle opener. The handle, being movable, with the claw member, is always disposed in a position for most efficient and convenient operation with the opener in use. When the bottle opener is in use, the point of the can opener blade is shielded so as to prevent possible injury to the hands of the user, and also as to permit the device to be carried in the pocket without damage to the clothing. The engagement of point 14 in slip 32 serves as a securing means holding the device releasably in the carrying position.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiamazes ment of my invention, it is apparent that many minor modifications of structure and operation could be'made' without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A combination can opener and bottle opener comprising an elongated body member having one end thereof tapered to a point to form a can opener blade and the other end thereof forming the lever arm of a bottle opener, and an elongated handle member pivotally secured intermediate its ends to an intermediate portion of said body member, one end of said handle member forming a longitudinally projecting claw adapted by pivotal movement of said handle member to be positioned selectively adjacent said blade or said lever arm, whereby to serve either as a fulcrum member for said blade or as a lifter for use in connection with said lever arm, said handle member being extended from the pivotal axis thereof in a direction opposite fr'om said claw, whereby to be positioned for convenient use in connection either with said blade or said 4 v lever arm, said handle extension being of sufficient length to overlap and pass in substantially wiping contact with the point of said blade as said handle member is rotated, whereby said blade is shielded when the device is adjusted to serve as a bottle opener.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said body and handle members are formed of resilient material, said handle extension being so'posi'tioned that it must be flexed out of its normal plane of movement as said handle member is rotated to pass said blade, said handle extension having a recess formed in the surface thereof adjacent said blade and adapted to receive the point of said blade, whereby the device is secured releasably in the bottle opener position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

